Neapolitan Campaigns

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict= Neapolitan Campaigns


caption= The Kingdoms of Louis I
date= 1347 – 1352
place= Kingdom of Naples, South-Italy
result= Scoreless
combatant1= German, Italian and English mercenaries, Hungarian-party Neapolitans
combatant2= German, Italian, English and French mercenaries
commander1= Louis I of Hungary István Lackfi Endre Lackfi
Miklós Toldi
commander2= Louis of Taranto
strength1=
strength2=
casualties1=
casualties2=
notes=

The Neapolitan Campaigns or Hungarian-Neapolitan Wars, in the magyar traditions Neapolitan Adventure (Nápolyi kaland) was war between Kingdom of Hungary and Kingdom of Naples, and Kingdom of Sicily, fought from 1347 to 1352.

Preliminaries

In 1343 death Robert I, the Sage neapolitan king. Robert was uncle of hungarian king Charles I, whom his son Andrew and Louis I (subesquent hungarian monarch). The prosteriors of Robert he Joan, husband of Andrew, but then was not may king.
In Hungary Louis was like his brother by the neapolitan throne, but was not interest of Joan and his vassals.

The hungarian diplomatic corps contact to Pope Clement VI in Avignon and the queen mother Elizabeth of Poland journey in Naples, what was at the same time a pilgrimage in Rome.
In June 14, 1345 Clement was yield consent on 44 thousand mark, that Andrew also to king, but it must have been heir, if Joan dead.

The papal bull in date in September 20, but in September 19 assassins kill Andrew. The compicity of Joan is doubtful.

The bitter Louis clamor for the correction of Joan of Pope Clement, but to not do justice. In the future the king was make up one's mind of the war.

The war

First Neapolitan campaign

In november 1347 Louis with 1000 soldier (hungarians, and german mercenaries) set out for againts Naples. Few italian city-state was let trough. In January 11, 1348 in the Battle of Capua defeat the army of Louis of Taranto, new husband of Joan. The queen repair in Provence. In January 20 Louis have Charles Prince of Durazzo, Louis of Durazzo, Robert of Durazzo, Philip II of Taranto and Robert of Taranto by a feast, who them capture.

The hungarian army in January 24 was march in Naples and take the title of "King of Sicily and Jerusalem". But then Pope Clement not approve the Kingdom of Louis. In Italia break the Black Death, and Louis in the end of May, 1348 retreat in Hungary. Joan with french and english mercenaries was come back in Naples.

econd Neapolitan campaign

In autumn 1348 Louis send off István Lackfi in Italia. The hungarian army and german mercenaries landing in Manfredonia. The army of Louis of Taranto (neapolitan, french, german, sicilian anf english mercenaries) was in preponderance, but again have the worse in the Battle of Troia. The hungarians seize Troia, Barletta, Trani and Lucera castles.
After Lackfi take in Capua, few neapolitan city and castle nothing loath bow to hungarians. Louis of Taranto was hive a new army and brace the countryside of Naples. Prince Louis have Lackfi in a duel, which Lacki accept, the Louisw was change one's mind and attack the hungarians and his mercenaries. In the Battle of Aversa Lacki be a match for neapolitans and seize Naples. The mercenaries pass up countryside of Naples, and the eastern land also was vanish. Lacki coming home, but plight, that in 1350 return in Italia.

Third Neapolitan campaign

In April 1350 a new hungarian army, and english, italian, hungarian and german mercenaries start off against Naples. His chiefs King Louis, István Lacki and Miklós Toldi. Louis of Taranto anew have the king in a duel (ahead of Edward III of England), what give up again. Louis was to fail in Salerno and besieged Aversa, who be wounded.

Joan anew break away of Naples and Louis possess the city. The neapolitans rebel against the hungarians and give out the many of Louis. The hungarian king came to realize, that to be out of the running in Naples. Likewise Joan was drain and sing truce in September 1.

The truce was up in April 1, 1351 and Louis of Taranto attempt expel the hungarians of Italia. The neapolitan action break down and Endre Lacki return to the charge.
Hungary and Naples-Sicily sing peace in March 23, 1352. Louis I pass up of Naples and set free the princes of Durazzo and Taranto, together with cede the Kingdom of Joan I and Louis of Taranto. Joan and Louis quit 300 thousand goldfloren scores with Louis and Queen Joan allow a assay in the kill-affair. Louis I later was give up the 300 thousand floren, inasmuch as in behalf of his brother make war on Joan.

Aftermath

In 1380 make the neapolitan civil war, what Joan was side with Avignon Pope Clement VII, whereof Pope Urban VI offer the throne of Charles III. Louis of Hungary expedite hungarian soldier in aid of Charles, and Charles seize Naples in 1381. In May 22, 1382 in San Fele four hungarian mercenary choke the queen.

References

* Béla Bellér: Hungarians in Naples (Magyarok Nápolyban), Ferenc Móra Publisher, Budapest 1986.